We have today published the Pact Red Book of Recommended Terms for the Engagement of Crew on UK Low Budget Feature Films.
The Red Book has been developed by Pact’s Film Working Group made up of experienced film producers and line producers and delivers a template for best practice.
It provides recommended terms for films with production budgets between £1 million and £10 million. These are not mandatory and rates are not included.
The recommended terms are intended to provide much-needed clarity for crew and producers alike, while prioritising work-life balance for all.
Why the
Red Book?
There has never been an agreement for the engagement of crew on UK films with a budget under £30m. As a result, there is often confusion on independent films as to the working terms and conditions, which costs productions time and resources, and makes it difficult for crew to know they are getting fair terms.
Pact’s Film Working Group has had extensive discussions with Bectu about lower budget films but has been unable to reach an agreement. The Red Book therefore provides guidelines for producers which are intended to be fair, equitable and appropriate for low budget film productions. Pact hopes that these guidelines will help to ensure that UK-produced low budget films can continue to be made in this country.
The Red Book is non-binding guidance only, and individual productions remain responsible for determining terms appropriate to their own circumstances.
The Pact Red Book for low budget UK films is the result of extensive collaboration between producers, line producers and others working in low budget UK independent film to try to establish fair and functional best practice terms. Whilst we would have preferred to reach an agreement with Bectu on the terms, the Red Book recommendations are preferable to the current vacuum. We are committed to ensuring fair and sustainable working conditions for everyone in UK low budget film production and hope that these terms will have a positive and meaningful impact.